Nineteen days have shown what I believe is a remarkable improvement in the snout injury of this coyote.
On February 16 I photographed the injury up close. Here you can see the swelling on the top of the snout caused by the awful wound on the other side. There’s also a deep gash on this side at the rear of the upper lip but it can’t be seen well here because it’s partly covered with hair. I’ve posted these first two images of the injury before but I include them here so you don’t have to go back to another post to determine how much improvement there’s been.
The next photo is a bit gory so if your sensibilities preclude viewing such an image I’ve left extra room below so you can leave this post before you’ve already scrolled down to it.
The other side of the snout was injured terribly. I don’t know how it happened of course but likely candidates are a fight with other coyotes (a common occurrence) or a kick from a bison. In all my time on Antelope Island over the past 8 years I’ve never seen coyotes bother bison (they always seem to ignore each other) so I lean toward the former for that reason and others.
The injury was severe enough that I worried about the survival of the coyote. If a bison was involved the maxilla (upper jawbone) could have been broken and the swelling suggested major trauma and likely infection. At the time of my original post I indicated that I’d keep my readers up to date on any developments, good or bad, if I encountered the animal again.
I believe the news is good.
Early yesterday morning I encountered the injured coyote and the two companions it’s been running with lately (you may have to squint to see the one at upper left but they’re all three here). It was an absolutely beautiful morning on the island and all three of them seemed to be enjoying life. They laid on the grass in the warming sun, yawned, kept looking at each other and one of them even rolled on its back like we so often see in our domestic dogs. The injured animal is the closer one at bottom center.
This image was taken at only 158mm in order to include all three coyotes but…
another camera attached to my 500mm and 1.4 teleconverter, plus a huge crop (16.5% of the original image), show us that the coyote seems to be recovering nicely. Its behavior appeared normal, it looks healthy, the swelling has gone down and the wound is apparently healing splendidly, considering its original severity. And I couldn’t be happier about that.
This “underdog” just may come out on top!
Ron
Looks like the eyes are OK…that’s huge!!!!
Great catch and shots Ron! Great news!
Charlotte
Wonderful. And more than a little amazing.
Thank you so much for giving us a update. I was worried about that Coyote. I hope you see it again, so we will know how the beauty is coming along.
I SO agree with you & Susan, Ron!! Don’t know if you heard about Echo the wolf who was shot & killed by someone thinking it was a coyote!! Not only was it a terrible kill because it had been the 1st siting of a wolf in the Grand Canyon, but the excuse that he “thought” it was a coyote demonstrate the persecution of coyotes!! I’m just sick of the humans out there killing or abusing our wildlife!
I’m very familiar with the tragedy of Echo, Jo Ann – that wolf was killed in my state of Utah.
I am so glad to see that this Coyote is doing well. It’s very clear from your photo that the wound is healing. In looking at these photos I am once again struck by what beautiful animals Coyotes are. Thanks for sharing the good news.
“Beautiful” is right, Susan. And so unfairly persecuted. Thank you.
Wounds look like they are healing great. Thanks for the update.
You’re very welcome, Larry. Thank you.
Awesome news Ron !Thank you for the update and as usual, your amazing imagery and narrative.
Thanks very much, John.
Great news, many thanks for keeping us up to date on his condition.
Thank you, Dick.
Glad to see the wound is healing up.
I figured folks would appreciate the good news, Arwen. Thanks.
Good to see the progress.
Agreed, Richard!
I’m glad the prognosis is good.
Me too, Dave. It sure wasn’t looking good for a while…